Senior Security Software Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live today Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Washington, DCHawthorne, CA
Salary: $170,000–$265,000 / yr
Posted: 67 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $184k

This role $218k

$130k $279k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 76% of similar roles. Most pay $150,862–$217,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $218k versus about $184k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Security Software Engineer

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The Sr. Security Software Engineer (Starshield) joins the Starshield team to support national security efforts through earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. This role involves designing and building security infrastructure, including cryptographic services and security-critical features for routers, dishes, gateways, and satellites. You will maintain production systems, improve security postures, and build prototypes to identify security improvements. The position requires expertise in software engineering, applied cryptography, network security, operating system security, secure boot, incident response, and vulnerability research. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in languages such as Python, C++, and Golang, alongside experience with distributed systems, TCP/IP stacks, and hardware like TPMs or HSMs. The work focuses on building reliable in-space mesh networks and secure communication software to solve complex government security problems.

Skills

Python C++ Golang Applied Cryptography Network Security Operating System Security Incident Response Vulnerability Research TCP/IP UDP Distributed Systems Security Infrastructure

What you'll do

Design and build security infrastructure including cryptographic and security-critical services for Starshield.
Develop security features for routers, dishes, gateways, and satellites.
Design security into factory processes and provide supporting network services.
Maintain production systems and improve security posture through direct implementation and team recommendations.
Build prototypes to identify, design, and test security improvements.
Influence the security of software across various product lines.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5+ years of professional experience in security software development.
7+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree.
Experience with one or more software development languages such as Python, C++, or Golang.
Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or large-scale infrastructure.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee eligible for Department of State authorization.
Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline (preferred).
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance (preferred).